Altitude Adjustment: Kenn Ricci on Flying Higher, Smarter, and More Luxuriously

Photo Credit: Flexjet

Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci is one of the most influential names in private aviation — and he’s still gaining altitude. As the principal of Directional Aviation Capital, Ricci oversees a powerhouse portfolio of aviation brands that includes Flexjet (where he also serves as Chairman), Sentient Jet, FXAIR, PrivateFly, Nextant Aerospace, and Constant Aviation. From fractional ownership to charter to tech-forward innovation, Ricci has built a modern aviation ecosystem that reshaped how the world flies private.

A pilot with more than 6,000 hours in the cockpit, Ricci’s passion for aviation runs deep — he even flew President Clinton during the 1992 campaign. His leadership has earned recognition from the likes of Living Legends of Aviation, which honored him with its Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award in 2017 — then renamed the award after him a year later.

But Ricci’s impact extends far beyond business. He’s a major philanthropist whose $100 million gift to the University of Notre Dame stands as the largest unrestricted donation in the school’s history. Through his work with Able Flight and other nonprofits, Ricci continues to open doors—for future aviators, for students, and for anyone ready to take flight.

We sat down with Ricci during the launch of his latest effort, the Riva Volare, a partnership between Flexjet and Ferretti Group, at the gorgeous L’Albereta hotel in Franciacorta the day of the Riva Volare’s debut, to discuss his career trajectory, the Riva Volare, and what he’s got cooking in the skies next.

Photo Credit: Flexjet

You mentioned your checklist earlier. Have you always been that way?
Oh yes. I’m a checklist person. It’s probably from being a pilot. I’ve got a checklist for everything—what to pack, what to review before a meeting, what to look for on a plane. It’s a mindset. I think being detail-oriented is what makes you good in aviation—or in anything, really.

Do you ever take a break? Or are you always on?
(Laughs) I try to. My idea of relaxing is probably different from most. I’ll sit down and read a book about aviation history or work on a white paper. But I also love spending time with my family. We have a place in Montana that we go to—that’s where I really unwind.

I imagine you don’t have much time to unwind with Flexjet’s growth. So, what’s next? What’s on your checklist for the next phase of Flexjet?
We’re focused on innovation—both in terms of technology and customer experience. We’re investing in our infrastructure, training, and expanding our fleet. We want to keep raising the bar. Private aviation should be aspirational—but also accessible in a smarter way. That’s our goal.